President Edgar Lungu has appointed Ms. Kayula Siame as permanent secretary for Commerce, Trade and Industry and Dr. Auxillia Bupe Ponga as permanent secretary for Monitoring and Evaluation in the Ministry of Development Planning.

According to a statement released to Daily Nation by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda, the President made these appointments yesterday at State House.

Mr. Chanda confirmed that Ms. Siame would be taking over from Mr. Siazongo Siakalenge whose contract expired on October 29, 2015.

He said the President was hopeful that Ms. Siame would deliver to expectations as she was exceptionally qualified and hard working.

“Until this appointment, Ms Siame was national coordinator for the private sector development, industrialisation and job creation at Cabinet Office.

‘‘The President is hopeful that Ms. Siame, who is exceptionally qualified in promoting private sector development particularly the promotion of initiatives to improve the ease-of-doing business, will move speedily to ensure the full implementation of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government’s industrialisation agenda,” Mr. Chanda said.

Mr. Chanda also confirmed that following her appointment, Dr. Ponga would be taking leave from the United Nations where she was director for the UN women’s office based in South Africa to take up her new job as permanent secretary for Monitoring and Evaluation in the Ministry of Development Planning.